I provide commentary on political economy, police and prosecutorial abuse, and whatever else might come to mind.
Let justice roll down like waters,
and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. Amos 5:24 (ESV)

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Len Gregor and His Prosecution Partner: The Children's Advocacy Center

Like Chris Arnt, Len Gregor has had a Facebook page, although it does not seem to exist right now. Unlike Arnt, he did not comment on the Tonya Craft case. However, a certain therapist for the Children's Advocacy Center, Holly Nave Kittle, is listed as Gregor's "friend."

Here is Gregor's post below, and you can see Kittle's name:

Here is the problem: Kittle is part of the "team" that Arnt and Gregor have been using to run roughshod over the rights of accused individuals in North Georgia for several years. They have managed to finagle convictions through questionable means, and it seems that the Children's Advocacy Center always plays an important role.

You must remember that the CAC has become the one-stop-shopping excursion for Arnt and Gregor. They are able to target people for prosecution and then the "expert witnesses from CAC take over. The "therapists" always seem to get "disclosures" from children, SANE Sharon Anderson and Dr. Sandra Carmichael always testify in favor of the prosecution, and the defendant is toast.

Because the CAC has the name "children's" in its name, the organization is a sacred cow in North Georgia. I mean, WHO COULD BE FOR CHILD ABUSE? Just to be accused is to have the Scarlet Letter placed on one's forehead.

However, we have to remember that all of the parties on this prosecutorial tag-team have their own vested interests. Chris Arnt has run for judge and no doubt he wants to burnish his record, especially seeing Tonya Craft as a big trophy for his collection. Len Gregor already has publicly stated that he loves being a prosecutor because he can be (in his words and all caps) THE MAN, and, guess what, there is something in it for the CAC people as well.

The CAC is part of a larger national network, and people around the country who have dealt with them tell me that they are especially ideological and have agendas that are similar to what the ideologies and agendas that surround rape crisis centers might have. Having dealt with the latter in the Duke Lacrosse Case, I can see how ideologues easily twist facts and turn science and logic on their heads in order to further their own agendas.

To get a sense of how these groups view innocence, read the following paragraph that appeared in Fall, 2008, edition of The William and Mary Journal of Women and Law:

The essential question is whether the system should be more inclined to protect innocent defendants, sometimes at the expense of women who have been date raped, or whether the system should be designed to ensure that more women's complaints result in convictions at the expense of some innocent men. (emphasis mine)

Do I need to repeat that theme? What they are saying is that innocence should not be a defense in a trial involving rape.

Likewise, according to the CAC, anyone investigated for child molestation and rape ALWAYS IS GUILTY, and even if they are innocent, well, the good people at the CAC look at it as "collateral damage" that is necessary in the FIGHT AGAINST CHILD ABUSE. It is not hard for therapists, using certain techniques, to browbeat "disclosures" from children, just as they did in the Tonya Craft case. Furthermore, as I pointed out with the Duke SANE Tara Levicy, an ideologue in a professional position who believes all men are rapists or who thinks that most parents are sex abusers is in a position to do a huge amount of damage, especially if that person is connected to prosecutors and judges who never scrutinize the testimony.

I will go further. The more of these kinds of cases pushed by the local CAC, the more money they receive. The 1974 Mondale Act creates a huge moral hazard because the centers like CAC have an incentive to push child molestation and abuse cases even if they are false. After all, once you have a tag-team of prosecutors and an organization like CAC, and it becomes strongly entrenched, it is almost impossible for the accused -- even if they are innocent -- to be acquitted in court, and if the families have little or no resources, then they are going down, period.

This is wrong, but because CAC is a sacred cow that claims to adhere to ethical standards, the group pretty much is untouchable. Thus, what we see is an impressive conviction machine at work, and no one has connected the dots or even tried to do anything. Individuals who are crushed are treated as pariahs because, after all, they are SEX OFFENDERS AND CHILD RAPISTS.

Has the local media EVER looked into this? The answer is no. Very questionable (at best) and criminal (at worst) activity is going on right in front of everyone, and no one asks the pertinent and necessary questions. Furthermore, as we see from the Facebook relations of Arnt and Gregor, they have engaged in very questionable ethics, yet they felt bold enough to trumpet these things because, well, they can do it.

So, if you want to understand the "justice" at work in the Tonya Craft case, it is this: the prosecutors and Judge Brian House do these things because they can do them.

I agree that everything he has said is probably right. However, the one thing left out is that those of us whose kids have actually been molested, whose kids have given strong details, are told that there is not enough evidence (we had more than the girls in this case) and the perp is let go...THREE TIMES ! 3 times ! I have had to fight in family court for protection for them, and even now it is not guarenteed. Investigate that, someone needs to protect the real victims. Thanks for all you do ..

"Here is the problem: Kittle is part of the "TEAM" that Arnt and Gregor have been using to run roughshop over the rights of accused individuals in North Georgia for several years." (my emphasis on "TEAM")

- What is a "TEAM" in that part of Georgia?

They are identified as the Sexual Assault Response Team (SART).

- What makes up that SART "TEAM"?

* The SANE nurses, and any associates within their office/dept.;

* The "Victim's Advocates", a broad list to include ;

* Law enforcement, who most often produce problematic techniques when children are involved; and

* The District Attorney's office.

One would hope all would have the best interest of all possible victims in mind, but that "TEAM" factor and the desire of all to convict those accused of hurting a child, combines to produce results that often end up being inaccurate.

As Bill points out, the federal funding has made this a profitable enterprise whenever children are involved.

I am so ashamed of myself. I will have to admit that 2 years ago when I heard about this I thought she probably did it. My thinking was that to arrest and charge someone with this crime that law enforcement would have to have tons of evidence. And to arrest a teacher well they would have to be double sure. I am soooooo sorry Tonya. I will never listen to charges like this on the news the same way again. You see i don't live in a way that I could even imagine 2 women being so caught up in theirselves like the Wilson and Lamb women are. I truly have such a hard time with this. Neither woman is fit to be a parent in my book. DFAC needs to check into these parents actions. I only hope that when Tonya in found NOT Guilty that it doesn't take her forever to get her children back. We should all pray and stand behind her when that fight is fought.

Mr. Anderson, Can you please research and let me know who to contact about all the special treatment of children that seem to be showed to children at Chickamauga school systems. I know that all schools have this problem to some degree. However I think that this school system has had a hand in helping these women to become the monsters that they are. I was wondering if their is anyone that Melody Day has to answer to. If you could find out it would be a great help. Thanks for covering this trial.

Okay does anyone know for a fact that Mrs Lamb is getting a divorce?Who is the man she had an affair with? Wonder if Mr. Lamb wants out because his wife is crazy and he knows she is going to get sued once this is over. Just a thought

Has anyone sent this stuff to the Atlanta Papers, they love a good scandal in a small town. I want this to make national news and have these dirty rotten bastards investigated on a state and federal level...

Okay one of the mothers of one of the children that testified was ask why they had an power bill in their name at a friends house in Chickamauga. She said so her son could play ball for that recreation assoc. That's a lie!!! All the recreation leagues around here don't give a hoot where you live. She did this so that her children could get in and go to Chickamauga City School. If you live in the city limits you are automatically accepted and you don't have to pay tuition.

Chickamauga School System sends a list home that states that if they catch you lying about where you live you will no longer be welcome. They also state what primary residency is in there eyes. I'm sure thought that they know that she has done this. She is just part of the choosen one's that go to school there. It's amazing how the parents of kids that go to school there are so afraid to talk about this case. They are so afraid the school might not accept there child next year or that somehow it will not be good for their child. The school system really has a hold on some people in that community.

Chickamauga City schools are considered private schools. My husband graduated from Gordon Lee in 1984 and it was the same way there. Parents would buy their kids positions on the football team, whether they could play the game or not. I live in Chickamauga but outside the city limits so my kids don't have to go, thank goodness.

Mr. Anderson,Out of curiosity....where are you getting your information. For you to be so detailed and live all the way in Maryland - interesting. I love it how you have a group of people following you and you don't know this information first hand - AWESOME reporting on your end, I must say. As for your big "break-through" on facebook, just because you're "friends" with someone on facebook doesn't automatically mean you are a part of a conspiracy to take another person. I have a feeling you and some of your followers would have a whole different take on this story if your child was the one who said that someone did something to them inappropriately!!

I wonder how much Sherri Wilson is paying out for 1 of her daughter's to cheer. Oh I forgot she is cheerleading commissioner for the rec dept. I guess that gives her daughters a spot on the high school team. I know she sure sucks up to the cheer coaches all the time.

To the 5:25 poster, don't forget I lived in your area for more than 30 years and I have friends there who are not buying the crap you and the others are trying to give us.

Second, I have a lot of expertise writing about legal (especially criminal) matters and have been published both in national magazines (such as Regulation and Reason) on these subjects, as well as academic and law journals. And, yes, I can smell a scam from here.

As for your remark that I would have a different take on the story if one of my children "reported" abuse, don't forget that these children did not first report it. This was parent, police, prosecutor, and CAC-driven, as are many of these kinds of cases.

As for Facebook you might want to become familiar with the special rules for prosecutors. I have talked to real-live attorneys around the country and they all agree that Arnt and Gregor are breaking those rules.

You know, you remind me of the people in Durham who insisted that those bad, bad Duke boys raped poor, precious Crystal Mangum. Well, I was one of the first writers to come out and say the case was a big lie, and I heard threats from people like you, but I continued to write and, well, despite the lies from the SANE and others like our CAC people here, the truth finally came out.

So, please crawl back to your friends, you know, the ones who are getting privileged treatment in the courthouse -- another violation of the prosecutorial rules.

Oh, and I know a heck of a lot more about this case than you might think. That is what worries you and the prosecutors the most.

If, God forbid, "someone did something to my child," I would expect law enforcement to have enough investigative skill to arrest the guilty party and base the arrest on evidence that would stand up an in any court, where conviction did not depend on the use of ill-qualified "experts" and local judicial bias.

Yea I thought the address thing was funny also. you don't have to live in a certain area to play ball anywhere. I know that Mrs. Lamb does not live in the Chick area. She is in Catoosa. If you lie about that what else will you lie about!!!

I believe that the 5:25 person is connected to the case in some fashion. Maybe not one of the parents in question but definitely related. That person needs to take their head out of the sand and see what is going on in that court room.

Hey Bill....I dont think it is Ms. Lamb she doesnt strike me as to have enough intelligence to look up a blog and to respond. However there is a person with the last name of "giglio" posting some negative stuff on one of the newstation facebook websites....Im more inclined to believe it to be her. :) That last name for some reason rings a bell in this case is why I am suspicious of her!

I have a child in Hamilton County Schools and I know from personal experience they will lie! The whole thing is about money! Teachers don't teach and the school is more concerned about the money and grants they are getting. It is not like it used to be. I did not realize schools in Chickamauga City schools were considered private and tuition based. So what happens to the students who live in the targeted area and cannot afford tuiton? Are they bused to a county school for education? I'm confused on that. What other motivation would there have been for lying about a power bill other than getting your child into a particular school. The rec clubs dont care where you live all they want is your money. Heck you can drive across town and sign your kid up on the best team in town if you want too!

I live 1 block from the city limits. My kids are bused to Rossville Middle School. There are kids farther out than me and are bused to Rossville as well. The last I heard there is a wait list to get into Chickamauga schools. I also think the tuition went up last year. I am not sure the amount but it is expensive. So, if you are not in the city limits you will pay out the butt to have your child attend Chickamauga schools.

Anon. 5:25, I am the parent of a victim of a real child molestor. I know what it is like to be the parent of a victim. It hurts beyond belief. Thank God, there was so much evidence, porn and other stuff in this person's home, that his only choice was to accept a plea bargain, thus sparing his victims and their families from a trial. Also, this child molestor had a long history, one many in Catoosa County were aware of, yet turned a blind eye to, including the good ole boys at the Catoosa Co. jail, where he molested a 17 year old inmate. Instead of prosecuting him, they just fired him and convinced the inmate not to press charges. If they had done their job, my child, years and years later, and numerous others would never have been this man's victims. So, I am not on here blindly following anyone. I have my own opinions and I have personal experience in this area. There is no convincing evidence in this case, other than the children who clearly have been coached in what to say and even at that, not very well. The physical evidence in inconclusive, if all these girls said was done to them was true, the evidence would have been there and it wasn't. The mother of the first child to testify has clearly lied on the stand. The judge, if you can call him that, has denied motion after motion that the defense has entered, including that he recuse himself from the case. This whole case is a sham and when the house of cards comes down, there will be much collarteral damage to all who have participated in this injustice.

I am a coming a bit late to this case, but several things just scream falsehood to me.

I reviewed the partial verbatim testimony given by the SANE in this case. If I was presented with the same "findings" I would not be able to testify to any type of sexual assault. The findings she notes are what we in the business call "indeterminate" findings. Meaning it could be caused by many things and without clear, provable and concise reporting from the child, usually indicate exactly what it is. A normal active female child. She did not testify to any findings that actually are "definite" signs of sexual assault. Yet she states as an "expert" that her findings are consistent with sexual assault. Disgusting, unprofessional and a clear abuse of her power as a SANE.

She noted no tears in the hymen and apparently assumed that due to "rolling and thickening" of the hymen edges that it is sexual assault. Sighs. Apparently she did her coursework via mail order.

Lets add this, between 85% to 95% of all children who give clear, truthful and concise reports of sexual assault, will upon examination show NO SIGNS of assault. This is because those tissues are extremely resilient. In most cases, there are additional behavioral issues that bring the assault to light. The prosecutor more often than not is faced with a case where he must present the child's side against the adult's side since little to no physical evidence would be found.

Remember, this case is not about penetrating rape, it is about supposed digital penetration.

As a SANE/FNE I am appalled at her summation of her examination and the "conclusions" she reached based on that. It is too bad this case is not going on out here, that nurse would be looking for work.

Mr. Anderson...I have so much I would like to say! Let me say that I too am following the case via the media, and I have family members that have known Tonya Craft for a number of years... We all commend your blogging efforts!!! It's amazing to me that the judicial system is this "disturbed"! And yes I do mean disturbed. I would like to know why the defense team is not permitted to call other children that were at these sleep overs to testify that they either did not see anything, or that Tonya never touched them! They should be called to tell their side of the story. Let me also say that my heart breaks for any and every child/parent that has to deal with molestation/rape... However Tonya Craft is innocent, not by reasonable doubt, but because SHE DID NOT DO THESE THINGS!!! I believe in karma... I would like to know who to contact in the state of Georgia about the behaviors of the prosecution and the judge?!?! This whole situation is insane. Last how can the judge legally ban the "Truth for Tonya" bumper stickers in the court parking lot??? Does that not violate ones "right to freedom fo speach"??? In my eyes, although I KNOW she is innocent, "Truth for Tonya" could have more than 1 meaning... For those who foolishly think she's guilty it could mean "Fry this dirty girl", am I wrong about that???

No, you are not wrong. I have followed these kinds of cases for years and I will tell you that my instincts have been right every time. That does not make me anything special, except that I do have some formal training in logic.

(Not that this is needed. Most of you came to the same conclusion by adding 1 and 1 and getting 2. The prosecution adds 1 and 1 and gets 35.)

I have no formaly training in logic either! It absolutely makes me sick to loose this much faith in our judicial system... Clearly as you posted earlier, in the Lookout Mtn. court system you are GUILTY UNTIL PROVEN INNOCENT!!!!!

What is happening in this court room happens all over the country in cases alleging sexual abuse of children. That is because, just as in DWI cases, legislatures and judges have decided that traditional Western traditions and the Constitution and Bill of Rights do not apply to allegations of sexual abuse of children (or in some rape cases). I invite you to read about this in this indispensable post by Will Grigg: http://freedominourtime.blogspot.com/2009/05/accusers-as-victims-case-study.html

At the behest of advocates with an agenda (some well-intentioned, some not) we have perverted a system of justice which originally sprung forward from the Law of God with His strictures on what constitutes sufficient evidence to convict. Moreover, the impartiality of the system has been destroyed. God said that a court should be "no respecter of persons", which means that no person should be given more weight merely because of who he is. The idea that children and their testimony in a court of law should be presumed true over that of others is radically antimonian and flies in the face of traditional Western justice. Moreover, as Harold J. Berman pointed out in the introduction to his seminal work Law and Revolution: The Formation of the Western Legal Tradition, one of the characteristics distinguishing Western legal tradition and the Soviet system is that Western law is still relatively autonomous from politics. In other words, distinct from the state. When that autonomy is gone, law becomes a weapon against "enemies" of the state, rather than a tool for justice. Just as in the Soviet Union, courts become merely a weapon to wield against preemptively perceived enemies of the state, rather than a source of first, just truth-seeking and then, if warranted, punishment.

As Will Grigg discusses, in alleged sexual abuse of children cases, we have adopted practices alien to our traditions which are completely unBiblical and satanic and are akin to the Salem Witch Trials, complete with a modern version of "spectral evidence", a demonic creation of prosecutors from antiquity forward. In the cases that Will discusses, you will see the same patterns that are occurring here. Click here: http://freedominourtime.blogspot.com/2009/05/accusers-as-victims-case-study.html

You all better hope that none of you is falsely accused of molesting a child. I assure you that what has happened to Tonya Craft will happen to you at some level. You will automatically be labeled an "enemy of the state" and you will be denied the traditional protections. Do not expect a judge in your case to be a check and balance upon the government. It is the rare judge who realizes that is his role.

Okay here is the deal on Chickamauga City Schools. If you live in the City Limits your child is automatically accepted and you do not have to pay tuition. If you live outside of the City Limits your child has to be accepted and you will have to pay $500 dollars tuition per child.

Damn straight! I think you should investigate all of Chris Arnt and Len Gregor's Facebook friends. I bet they're all crooked. I mean, I bet every friend on Facebook is part of the conspiracy. Crooked crookers! Where's Janet Reno when you need it?

The only Facebook friends of Arnt and Gregor that interest me are those that testify in court for the prosecution. Furthermore, keep in mind that we are dealing with people whose testimony helps send people to prison for many years.

One would hope that at the very least, the testimony would be true, but from what I can tell from some of the trolls on this blog that all they want is for a witness to lie and innocent people to go to prison.

The "expert" witnesses that Arnt and Gregor are using are not qualified, are incompetent, or are just plain liars. Not a good thing.

As for graduate school, I received my doctorate in economics from Auburn University in 1995. However, I have written extensively on legal matters for many years.

Thank you for telling the truth and seeking the truth on this blog! Just wanted to say that not everyone at the Chickamauga schools are bad.......there are are parents and children that attend that have good morals and good character. Some of the things that go on there will go on at other schools as well. It is one of the best academic schools in the area - and it isn't that expensive - only $500.

I will be interested to see the statistics on children who do not live in the city limits, who's parents have "Truth for Tonya" bumper stickers on their cars are not welcomed back to the school next fall. When Mrs. Fouts was there...that stuff didn't fly (putting your power bill in someone elses' name) That woman LOVED me and she had my number (I had only moved a couple of weeks before and just hadn't told them yet b/c the office was closed for summer) the first day of school. By 10AM, she had her tuition check or my child was going somewhere else. She was an honest lady no matter how much she loved you! (She retired). I also want to know how many children who NEVER had a problem at school in the past have been in the principal's office in trouble this year...and their parents have a bumper sticker for Tonya on their car... The whole town is a joke and my family and others have joked for YEARS that the church the Wilson's and Kelle's family attends is a cult. Everyone is related to EVERYONE and those who aren't marry a Wilson who funds it all.I am so grateful I don't live there anymore. Best move I ever made.

Speaking of Truth for Tonya stickers, I overheard a conversation yesterday between two women who said that Sherrie Wilson had followed one of their sisters on not one, but two occasions. Talk about harrassment.

Back to the 5:25, I believe it is just one of their "supporters" of injustice. As a victim of kidnapping & rape in CC, I have witnessed first hand how the system here works. I lay no fault on the detectives or the police department, as they were the ones who knew who did it to me (just by description), and championed me and the injustice I endured for almost 2 years.

First of all, my father already had arrangements for the rapist to be "taken care of". I was the one who asked that we let the justice system handle the case & if it didn't happen, then to carry on.

Second, after the rapist was let out on bail, he retained a local attorney who just so happened to be the state representative at the time. This guy abused his power as state rep for over a year. Won't go into details, but just know, he used very illegal means to keep his client out of jail as long as possible. Sadly, during his delays, another woman was raped. This time, he was arrested and sat in jail until he plea bargained.

Lastly, at the end of the plea bargain, the rapist's attorney came up to me and apologized profusely. "I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry I did this to you." To me, and to bi-standers, seemed like an admission of wrong doing. Basically, I was on the other side of the bench, but experienced the good 'ol boy network at the higher levels.

I am ready to come out with my story to people who have known me forever and still don't know what happened to me, but this case really has me on edge.

No matter what happened to me, I believe that our justice system is so very corrupt and backwards. I believe in justice and believe that Tonya Craft is a victim from so many angles. Most people would think I would be in the "hang her" part of this, but just the opposite.

Now, for people who don't believe that prosecutors, judges, CAC workers and families would not take it this far if it weren't true....look again and think. If their original accusations came as score-settling (which I truly believe they were), at that point, they couldn't back out or say, hey, we don't want to go forward, because then they would be prosecuted for false allegations, lose their businesses and any "credibility" that they believe they had. If they let it go on, and in the meantime, allow their children to be abused by the court system, once the not-guilty verdict comes in, everyone can say, oh well, we tried.

Sorry for the rant & the personal info, but as I said, I would normally be the person pulling for the "victims". But when you truly look at it, I am pulling for the victims; Tonya Craft, her daughter, her son, her family and her friends. May God be with this jury and set this woman free!!! I am praying, praying, praying.

Gregor has mad such a big deal about the clothes that Tonya has worn and how she must be capable of molesting children because of how she dresses. Check out the woman he's with on his Facebook picture. And it's ok for him to associate with someone who dresses like that!

About Me

I teach economics at Frostburg State University in Frostburg, Maryland. We are located on the Allegheny Plateau, and we have cool summers and tough winters.
I am the single father of five children, four of them adopted from overseas and I have two grandchildren. My family and I are members of Faith Presbyterian Church (PCA).